I only have room for a 4 x 8 train table. I really want to use 0 gauge. Am I wasting my time with 0 gauge on that small layout? I'm not a HO fan either.
What do you think?
No, you are not waisting your time. Many nice layouts can be done on such a size. The CTT project layout which was completed in this latest issue was done on one. If you do a search of Thor Trains, he has listed a number of layout diagrams and perhaps you can glean some insight from there. You will be limited regarding the particular trains you use as the curves will have to be on the tighter side, but there are plenty of such trains available. You just have to make sure of the turn radius listed with each piece.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Ditto to what Dennis said, also try using the search function of this board for small layouts. Deciding between "toy-train or hi-rail" will also make a big difference.
Here's a link to Thors,
http://www.thortrains.net/
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Spummerr,
Welcome aboard! I had a 4x8 layout as a kid and recreated it just after Thanksgiving for my grandson and me to play with. It was a simple oval with two smaller ones inside, connected by manual switches. Dad (and I, later) wired it so the inner ovals could be turned off using simple SPST toggle switches. This lets you park trains you are not running on the 'dead' track', or manuever a train from one oval to another.
There is a lot you can do with this size layout. Mine was basically Toy Train because I like all the switching I could do. By limiting that, you could put up a really nice High Rail setup, too.
Have fun,
Charlie
The pics below are of a Halloween Layout that I built for my Girlfriend and her Kids, it was built on a 36"x78" hollow core door. It is just an oval, but it was built as a Halloween display, but it did get lots of compliments.
This is a layout that we built for my Nephew, it fitys(Just Barely) on a 4x8, but if you have room, a 5x9 would be much better, it would give a safety buffer for derailments, and also give some room between the track and the table edge for some scenery, which would look much better than the track running along a cliff. This uses 027 track so be sure that any locomotives or cars that you want to run will handle 027 curves/switches. It is way to busy for a Hi-Rail layout, but is a lot of Fun as a Toy Train Layout.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
A while back there was a survey and there are more "small" layouts than large ones. There are advantages of small layouts, especially if it is your first layout. One of the bigest is that it happens, and you can run trains fairly quickly. A small humble layout that is a reality is more fun then one that is large and out not made. If room is not an issue, build it so that it is expandable. If room size is a issue decide if running trains or landscaping or accesories will be the focus.
Most of all have fun with it.
Jim
A 4x8 table is probably just as good for O gauge as HO. Like everyone above has said, you'll have to limit yourself to smaller engines and cars with O gauge.
I'll be the first to say I don't know much about realistic scenery or hirail layouts. Every layout I've ever had has been toylike. One thing I've done on my last layout (2 4x8 sheets of plywood) was change out a building, automobile, a person or two, or even a tree with another one that I had sitting under the table. I also filled the layout with smaller operating accessories such as crossing gates and signals, an aircraft beacon, a milk car platform, a gateman shanty, a semaphore, etc. I added a second level that was only 1 foot wide. That was wide enough to add a trolley line in the front of it and a few k-line or plasticville stores with a station platform on each end. Naturally, this also adds a tunnel for the lower level.
Hopefully some of this is of use to you,
J White
NO waste of time. Lots can be done with a 4x8. Take your time and, if you have any specific questions, post them.
Take a look at what envfocus did with his layout. I don't think it is much larger than 4x8. It is in the latest CTT as well on the Sunday Photo Fun thread for this week. IMHO, his is the most impressive pre-war layout I've ever seen done in such a small space.
spummerr I only have room for a 4 x 8 train table. I really want to use 0 gauge. Am I wasting my time with 0 gauge on that small layout? I'm not a HO fan either. What do you think?
Let me add one more thought for you "fact it takes more room to do a circle in HO than in O-27".
Yes your trains are bigger and buildings.
It will work out fine I have had many 4'x8' and even made a couple 5'X 9' ones
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I think envfocus did that in 4x7, which is even more fantastic! He also did it in just a few weekends, if I recall correctly. It's truly unique and one of my favorite smaller layouts.
Wes
And another thought ... you can always go dual-layer ... 2 tier layout on 4x8 instead of going wider ! Just plan a couple blank/unused spots for tiering in the future . If ya can't go out ... you can go up !
This was a 4X8 with two seperate loops a full pass siding and seperate sidings for the 165 crane and 97 coal loader. I ripper this down before it was finished to go bigger, but it was fun to run two trains on it for me and also play with all the accessories.
Like everyone has said, a 4 x 8 layout would be wonderful. I know that we label layouts as small or large by size, but the chance to have any size permanent layout is a blessing so go for it. You'll be glad you did.
My original layout design was 40" x 90" (a little under 4 x 8), but my final layout ended up being 4.5' by 8.5'. However, I think you could see from my dimensions below how you could cut it back to 4 x 8. I can run 3 trains on 3 separate tracks at once and still have room for plenty of accessories, so don't think a 4 x 8 area will be boring. Given my love for prewar, I can't have slopes (no magnetraction). But if you like postwar, then you can add grades which will give you even more options. So get busy, have fun dreaming up a layout, and keep us posted. Finally, Brent and Wes thank you so much for your kind words. You really made my day when I read them.
RJ - I have always loved your pictures in SPF but did not realize your layout fell into the "small" catagory. Your layout is proof what can be done in a small footprint.
I have been thinking very seriously about a total re-do, and I love your plan. The second level is great.
I'm with DENNIS and the March issue of CTT. That little layout is just jammed pact with all the eye catching things you want. KUDOS to YUZ GYZ CTT job WELL DONE!
laz57
As a side note, in the late 50's and early 60's the manufactures especially American Flyer, had several layout plans that would fit on either a 4x8 or a 5x9 in a small flyer. ( a Flyer flyer) sorry, but they were to fit on a sheet of plywood or a ping pong table. I'll look and see if I can find the flyer and figure a way to post the imagesif you want.
My layout is from an ad for American Flyer
I really like RJ's work as well! Very well suited for the tinplate trains!
I plan on scratch building most of my buildings, so it's going to take some time...but I'm in no hurry to finish. I do more operations, but am happy to hear the trains run the loop while I'm on the computer.
You get out of your layout what you put into it. We have a very small house, and this is all the room we have, but I'm really happy with it.
Ask yourself if you will be happy with a small layout?
All I could find is a photo of the control panel, as a schematic.
My 4'x7' layout.
Kurt
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